The Jewelers Vigilance Committee is presenting “Color Gemstone Sales: Are you Compliant or at Risk?” sponsored by American Gemological Laboratories at the JA/NY Summer Show, Jacob Javits Convention Center, on July 28 at 8:30 a.m. in room IEO3.

Panelists include Christopher Smith, vice president and chief gemologist, American Gemological Laboratories, and Cecilia Gardner, JVC’s president, chief executive officer, and general counsel. Robin Spector, attorney for the Federal Trade Commission, will appear on video with comments she has previously made on the federal regulations governing gemstone disclosures. 

Topics to be discussed include: disclosure of gemstone treatment to consumers, current legislation and initiatives on gemstones from Burma, and updates on irradiated gemstones—including selling current inventories and legal compliance obligations on the part of manufacturers and retailers to disclose treatment of color gemstones.

Smith and Gardner will examine some of the challenges the colored gemstone industry face today, particularly supply side integrity—conditions under which colored gemstones are produced and distributed. Gardner will review material presented by the Federal Trade Commission at a color gemstone seminar presented by JVC earlier this year. There will be a Q&A period.

Seminar attendees will receive “The Essential Guide to the U.S. Trade in Irradiated Gemstones” brochure, co-authored by JVC and the American Gem Trade Association.

“Proper representation during the sale of gems is essential to be fully compliant with FTC guidelines,” Smith said. “This relates to the proper identification of the gem, as well as the disclosure of gemstone treatments. Today, gemstone treatments are more extensive than ever before and they are becoming more and more complicated in terms of the techniques applied, means of identification and terminology for full and accurate disclosure. As a result, accurate gemological authentication and disclosure from independent third-parties is becoming increasingly more important.”

JCK